JP2023548319A - Transaction card with partial glass layer - Google Patents

Abstract

A transaction card having a partial glass layer including an internal glass member coupled to a non-glass frame. The frame defines opposing planar surfaces, has an outer circumference of the frame coextensive with an outer circumference of the card, and has an inner circumference of the frame spaced radially inwardly from the outer circumference of the frame. The inner periphery of the frame defines the interior area occupied by the glass member. The transaction card further includes at least one additional layer having a perimeter coextensive with the perimeter of the card and a payment module configured for contactless operation or contact/contactless dual interface operation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is filed under U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/107,698, filed October 30, 2020, entitled "Transaction Card with Partial Glass Layer," which is incorporated herein by reference. claim priority to the issue.

Credit card issuers continue to seek transaction cards that include materials that have the desired weight and appearance with optimal performance. In recent years, various types of conformal or high strength glasses have been developed that have strong break and scratch resistance and add weight and a modern look to the cards. However, glass components can still be somewhat weaker or more susceptible to damage than other types of materials, and therefore there is a need in this field to minimize the risk of damage, optimize functionality and A structure is needed that maximizes the overall look and feel of the card.

One aspect of the invention includes a transaction card having a lateral dimension that defines a perimeter and an area. The transaction card has a partial glass layer that includes an internal glass member coupled to a non-glass frame. The glass member may be a conformable glass. The frame defines opposing planar surfaces and has an outer circumference of the frame coextensive with an outer circumference of the card and an inner circumference of the frame spaced radially inwardly from the outer circumference of the frame. The inner periphery of the frame defines the interior area occupied by the glass member. The transaction card further includes at least one additional layer having a perimeter coextensive with the perimeter of the card and a payment module configured for contactless operation or contact/contactless dual interface operation.

The at least one additional layer may include a pair of opposing capping layers made of, for example, a polymeric material, a ceramic, and a glass, where the partial glass layer is disposed between the pair of opposing capping layers. Additional layers may include printed information or graphics.

In some embodiments, the frame defines a first width between a frame outer circumference and a frame inner circumference for at least a first portion of the frame, and the tab defines a first width between a frame outer circumference and a frame inner circumference for at least a first portion of the frame. defining a second width greater than the first width for use in the tab, wherein the payment module is embedded within the tab.

In some embodiments, the glass member may have a first thickness and the frame has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. In such embodiments, the transaction card may further include an adhesive layer within the area bordered by the glass member, the frame and the at least one additional layer.

In some embodiments, the frame may include metal. The metal of the frame may include at least one cut defining a gap extending from the outer perimeter of the frame to the inner perimeter of the frame, and optionally a non-metallic filler disposed within the gap defined by the cut. may include. Such a cut-out metal frame may include a booster antenna that is physically or inductively coupled to the payment module. In some embodiments, the additional layer may include a booster antenna physically or inductively coupled to the payment module. In such embodiments, the additional layers may further include at least one non-metallic base layer and one or more printed layers and/or non-RF interfering layers disposed between the booster antenna and the metal frame. In one metal frame embodiment, the frame can have a second thickness in which the partial glass layer is greater than the thickness of the glass member that is the outermost layer of the transaction card, where the frame has a second thickness with an additional layer. In relation, it defines a height on the surface of the card that is greater than the height defined by the glass member.

In other embodiments, the frame may include non-metallic materials such as, but not limited to, epoxy, FR4 ceramic, carbon fiber, and plant-based materials. In such embodiments, the booster antenna physically or inductively coupled to the payment module may include a winding disposed within a groove disposed within the frame. The groove may be disposed on the top or bottom surface of the frame, or a combination thereof, and may be fitted radially from the outer peripheral edge of the frame. A filling material may be disposed within the groove and above the booster antenna.

In some embodiments, the inner periphery of the frame includes an unstepped edge between the planar top surface of the frame and the planar bottom surface of the frame, e.g., the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface. It may define vertical straight edges. In such embodiments, the glass member defines an unstepped outer peripheral edge aligned with and adhesively connected to the unstepped edge defined by the inner perimeter of the frame.

In other embodiments, the inner periphery of the frame defines a stepped edge between the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface of the frame, and the stepped edge extends beyond the planar top surface of the frame. defining a ledge intermediate the surface and the planar bottom surface, where the surface of the glass member defines a ledge, such as a ledge defining a planar surface parallel to the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface of the frame. Supported by In such embodiments, the glass member has a first thickness, the frame can have a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, and the ledge has a first thickness and a second thickness. The thickness may be equal to the difference between the thicknesses. A ledge defined by the frame may be located between the additional layer and the glass member. An intermediate layer having a periphery defined by the inner periphery of the ledge may be placed between the glass member and an additional layer, such as an adhesive layer or a transparent layer such as glass. The glass member may be placed between the additional layer and the ledge defined by the frame, particularly in embodiments where the frame is constructed of metal.

At least one protective layer may be placed on the partial glass layer, or the partial glass layer may constitute the outermost layer of the transaction card. An outer protective layer, which constitutes the outermost layer of the transaction card, may be adhered to the partial glass layer.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic perspective exploded view of an exemplary transaction card embodiment having a glass member with a non-glass frame. FIG. 2A depicts a schematic perspective exploded view of an exemplary transaction card embodiment having a glass member with a metal frame sandwiched between capping layers. FIG. 2B depicts a schematic plan view of the card embodiment of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the glass member and frame have different thicknesses. FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the glass member and the frame have different thicknesses and the glass member defines the outer surface of the inlaid card at a height less than the height of the frame. is drawing. FIG. 4 depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment having a booster antenna layer between other stacked layers of the card. FIG. 5A depicts a schematic top view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the frame includes a recessed booster antenna on the top or bottom surface of the card. FIG. 5B depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the frame includes a recessed booster antenna in a groove extending from the frame perimeter between the top and bottom surfaces of the card. FIG. 6A depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the frame has a stepped interior perimeter that forms a ledge that supports a glass member. FIG. 6B depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card embodiment in which the frame has a stepped interior perimeter that forms a radially overlapping overhang with the glass member.

Referring now to the figures, none of which are intended to scale or proportion, FIG. 1 includes lateral dimensions (length L1 and width An exemplary transaction card embodiment 100 is shown having W1). In FIG. 1, for example, in accordance with the ISO/IEC7810 ID-1 standard, L1 is generally larger than W1 and the dimensions are L1 x W1 = 85.60 x 53.98 mm (3 3/8 inch x 2 1/8 inch), Although depicted with rounded corners having a radius of 2.88-3.48 mm (approximately 1/8 in) and with an overall thickness of 0.76 mm (1/32 in), the present invention It is not limited to cards having any particular size, shape or proportions. Partial glass layer 102 includes an internal glass member 104 coupled to a non-glass frame 106 . Frame 106 defines opposing planar surfaces (upper surface 107 and lower surface 108 as positioned in FIG. 1). The frame outer circumference (FOP) is coextensive with the card outer circumference COP. The frame inner perimeter (FIP) is spaced inwardly from the frame outer perimeter (FOP). The frame inner perimeter has lateral dimensions (length L2 and width W2) that define the interior area occupied by glass member 104 (L2 x W2). At least one additional layer 110 has a perimeter ALP aligned with the frame perimeter FOP, which together define the perimeter of the card 100. In one embodiment, frame 106 includes metal and at least one additional layer includes plastic. Suitable metals for the frame may include stainless steel, aluminum, tungsten, precious or exotic metals such as gold, titanium, etc., and combinations or alloys of any of these. Combinations of materials can be used in the frame as well, including combinations of metals and non-metals (eg metal with a ceramic coating; non-metal with a metal foil layer; steel with a gold foil cladding). Suitable plastic layers for the at least one additional layer include any type of plastic known for use in cards, including but not limited to PVC, polyester, PET, HDPE, etc., as well as blends or copolymers thereof. included. The glass layer 104 has a recess 105 (which may be a through hole or a pocket open on only one surface) configured to accommodate a payment module (not shown in FIG. 1). Payment modules, which can be any type of payment module known in the art, typically include an integrated circuit (IC) configured for at least contactless (e.g., radio frequency (RF) identification--RFID) operation. The device includes a chip, preferably an IC chip configured for dual interface (contact and non-contact) operation, as is well known in the art.

Glass member 104 preferably comprises a high strength, flexible or conformable glass, such as, but not limited to, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, boroaluminosilicate glass, sapphire glass, or ion exchange toughened glass. Many examples of such flexible or conformable glasses are known in the art and are preferred for their shatterproof properties and strength. These types of glass are also denser than the traditional plastic layers found on some transaction cards, thus lending additional weight, or weight, to the overall look and feel of the card. . Although preferred embodiments include flexible or conformable glass compositions, the term "glass" as used herein includes amorphous non-crystalline compounds as well as crystalline compounds, sometimes referred to as "crystals." Also, any non-polymeric chemical composition ( _{i.e. non} - _plastic composition). Additionally, acceptable glass layers include laminated glass (which typically includes one or more layers of glass and plastic, each of which is held together by an interlayer), tempered glass, and engraved glass. ), glass types known as "safety glass" may be included. Although transparent or translucent glass may have some advantages, embodiments of the present invention do not permit internal member 104 to be made of other non-metallic or non-plastic materials that are only opaque or translucent. (e.g., ceramic). Although depicted as monolithic layers, the partial glass layer may include a composite of multiple material layers, including multiple glass layers of the same or different types of glass. In some embodiments, at least one additional layer 110 can include at least one metal layer. In some embodiments, the glass has adhesives or coatings, such as decorative, structural or optical properties (e.g., infrared (IR) blockers) or radio frequency (RF) (e.g., RF blockers) control properties. It may be coated with a coating designed to do so.

In the exemplary transaction card embodiment 200 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a partial glass layer 202 including an inner glass member 204 and a non-glass frame 206 is disposed between a pair of opposing capping layers 210, 212. There is. In preferred embodiments, the opposing capping layer may include a polymeric material, ceramic and/or glass. In both embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2A, 2B, one or more of layers 110, 210, 212, or other additional layers (not shown) may include information or graphics. The information/graphics may be printed or placed directly on the capping layer or partial glass layer using any known technique (e.g. etching, laser processing, etc.) or placed on one or more other layers. obtain. Any of layers 110, 210, 212 may include multiple layers in some embodiments, such as layers stacked together. Any of the card embodiments disclosed herein may include, without limitation, decorative layers (e.g., wood, leather, ceramic, metal), layers containing magnetic stripes, layers containing signature blocks, etc. It may include any type of layer of any size coextensive with or smaller than the lateral dimensions of cards known for use in credit cards.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the frame 206 defines a first annular width AW1 between the frame outer circumference and the frame inner circumference for at least one first portion of the frame, and the tab 230 , defining a second width AW2 for at least one second portion of the frame that is greater than the first width. The frame may have the same annular width around the entire circumference of the card (excluding the location of the tab in embodiments with tabs), or the annular width may be different on different sides of the card. For example, the frame can have a first width along a relatively long side of the card and a second width along a relatively short side of the card, with each side of the card The sides may have a different annular width, or one side of the card may have a different annular width than the other sides. The annular width may be variable along one or more edges of the card. Card embodiments are not limited to a single tab, and the tab is not limited to providing support for a payment module. In other embodiments, additionally or alternatively positioned tabs (Fig. (not shown). Payment module 220 is embedded within tab 230.

In some embodiments, such as those depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, frame 206 may include metal. The metal of the frame passes through the entire thickness of the frame in the Z direction and from a starting point O on the outer periphery of the frame to an end point T located on the inner periphery of the opening in the tab 230 for accommodating the payment module 220. It can include at least one cut 240 defining a gap that extends laterally up to . A non-metallic filler (not shown), such as a non-RF interference filler, can be placed within the gap defined by the cut. Although depicted as having a diagonal linear geometry, the cuts 240 may have any geometric shape known in the art, including stepped, curved, sinusoidal, zigzag, or combinations thereof. can have. The opposing locations of the starting point (O) and the ending point (T) are not limited to specific locations. These may be aligned with each other along lines parallel to the long edges of the card that define the length of the card, or one of the end points or starting points may be closer to one of the long edges of the card than the other. It may be located relatively close to. Non-limiting geometries for cuts are shown or described in U.S. Patent Application No. 10,762,412 entitled "DI Capacitive Implantable Metal Card," which is incorporated herein by reference. It can be adapted to any of the following geometries.

A cut includes one or more cuts extending from the outer perimeter of the frame to the inner perimeter of the frame, or one or more cuts that do not terminate or originate on either the outer or inner perimeter of the card. It may be provided elsewhere. Non-limiting geometries for such cuts are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/971,439, entitled "DI Metal Transaction Device and Method of Manufacturing Same," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Compatible with any of the geometries shown or described. In structures with a metal frame, especially in structures with any of the aforementioned cuts, filled or unfilled, the metal frame serves as a booster antenna that is physically or inductively coupled to the payment module. be able to. Although not specifically depicted or preferred, the configuration in FIG. 1 may also have one or more of the cuts described above if frame 106 includes metal.

Referring to FIG. 4, in other embodiments having a (typically, but not always, unbroken) metal frame, the additional layer 410 of the card 400 may be physically or inductively connected to the payment module. A booster antenna layer 440 may include a booster antenna 445 (eg, including multiple metal windings, as is well known in the art) coupled together. In such embodiments, the additional layers can include a first stack 410 that includes at least one non-metallic (eg, plastic) base layer 412 and one or more printed layers 414. A non-RF interfering layer (eg, ferrite) 416 may be placed between the booster antenna layer 440 and the metal frame 406, but may not be necessary for some antenna designs. The various layers may be hot or cold laminated together and/or may include adhesive layers and/or adhesive carrier sheets between functional layers. Also depicted can include transparent layers that protect the glass and metal layers from scratches, such as, but not limited to, hard coats containing inorganic particles or nanoparticles in polymers, resins, etc. and a top layer 415 that may have printing or graphics thereon, such as printing or graphics identifying the card type (eg, VISA, American Express, etc.), issuer (eg, bank name), cardholder name, etc. Fewer or additional layers than those shown may be present.

In some embodiments, the frame comprises a non-metallic material, such as, but not limited to, epoxy, FR4, ceramic, carbon fiber, or a plant-based material, such as wood. Embodiments that include a non-metallic frame, such as the card embodiment 500 depicted in FIG. The booster antenna includes one or more windings 545 disposed within a groove 542 defined within the frame. As shown in FIG. 5, frame 506 defines a frame outer periphery (FOP), and groove 542 is recessed radially from the FOP. A filler material (not shown) may be placed within groove 542 and above winding 545 . Additional layers may cover the frame to hide the grooves and/or fillers. The windings and grooves may be disposed on either or both surfaces of the frame and may include one or more vias from the groove on one side to the groove on the other side. In the card embodiment 501 depicted in cross-section in FIG. 5B, the groove 542 extends radially inwardly from the frame perimeter FOP between the surfaces of the top 507 and bottom 508 of the frame, and the winding 545 is Wrapped around the card within its cross-sectional volume. In such embodiments, a filler (not shown) is typically applied over the windings, such that the resulting FOP has a smooth edge between the upper and lower surfaces of the frame. It is designed to have. Embodiments with metal frames may also include recessed booster antennas of any of the designs described herein, where the grooves are made of a non-metallic material such as ferrite to minimize interference. The windings are lined with an RF interfering material and/or the windings are coated with this material.

Referring now to the cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 3A, the glass member 304 of the layer 302 within the card 300 can have a first thickness T1 in the Z direction, and the frame 306 has a thickness greater than the first thickness. The second thickness T2 can also be larger. A filler, such as an adhesive layer, may be placed as a filler within the volume 305 bounded by the glass member 304, the frame 306, and the at least one additional layer 310. Glass member 304 and upper surface 307 of frame 306 preferably lie on a common plane. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B, partial glass layer 302 constitutes the outermost (exposed) layer of transaction card 301. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. The surface 307 of the frame 306 is an exposed surface that defines, for the at least one additional layer 310, a plane having a height E1 that is greater than the height E2 that corresponds to the plane defined by the glass member. The inset height of the glass member allows the frame to protect the glass.

For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3B, the inner periphery of frame 306 defines a straight edge 309 between planar top surface 307 and planar bottom surface 308 of the frame, where: The straight edges are perpendicular to the planar top and bottom planar surfaces. Similarly, glass member 304 defines a straight outer peripheral edge 303 aligned with and adhesively connected to a straight edge 309 defined by the inner perimeter of the frame. In other embodiments, the inner periphery can define an edge having a non-linear shape, as described further below, and further, in embodiments with relatively straight edges, the radius can be curved. Often, one or more protrusions or indentations may be present. The geometry depicted in FIG. 3B, compared to the corresponding edges depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, may also be referred to as "unstepped" edges, where unstepped does not include steps. Although meant as a geometric shape, it can have a geometric shape other than a straight line.

In the cards 600 and 601 depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which are very useful in other embodiments, such as those with metal frames, the inner periphery of the frame 606 is located on the planar top surface of the frame. A stepped edge 609 is defined between 607 and a planar bottom surface 608 . Stepped edge 609 defines a ledge 650 or overhang 651 intermediate the planar top surface and planar bottom surface of the frame, which ledge or overhang connects with the surface of glass member 604 . As depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a ledge 650 or overhang 651 defines a planar surface facing the glass layer parallel to the planar top surface and planar bottom surface of the frame, but the ledge Without being limited to such a structure, the glass layer can be contoured to mate with the contoured surface of the ledge or overhang. As depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the glass member 604 has a first thickness T1 in the Z direction, the frame 606 has a second thickness T2 that is greater than the first thickness, and the ledge 650 or overhang 651 has a thickness T3 equal to the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness (T2-T1). Volume 605 may include an unfilled volume, or may be filled with an adhesive or other type of flowable or curable filler, such as a transparent or translucent filler, or may be preformed. It may also include a transparent layer, such as another glass layer or a non-glass transparent layer. The material of volume 605 can include any other material known in the art.

As depicted in FIG. 7A, the card is assembled with ledge 750 disposed between glass member 704 and additional layer 710. As depicted in FIG. 7B, the card is assembled with glass member 704 disposed between layer 110 and ledge 750, with layer 702 comprising the outermost layer of transaction card 700. In the structure depicted in FIG. 7B, the frame preferably includes, consists of, or consists essentially of a metallic material.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. On the contrary, various modifications may be made in the details within the range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.

Claims (38)

In a transaction card that has a lateral dimension that defines a circumference and an area:
A partial glass layer comprising an internal glass member connected to a non-glass frame, the frame defining opposing planar surfaces, the outer circumference of the frame being coextensive with the outer circumference of the card, and the frame defining an inner glass member. a partial glass layer having a periphery spaced radially inwardly from an outer periphery of the frame, the inner periphery of the frame defining an interior area occupied by the glass member;
at least one additional layer having a perimeter coextensive with the outer perimeter of the card;
a payment module configured for contactless operation or contact/contactless dual interface operation;
including transaction cards. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the glass member comprises conformable glass. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the at least one additional layer includes a pair of opposing capping layers, and the partial glass layer is disposed between the pair of opposing capping layers. 4. The transaction card of claim 3, wherein the opposing capping layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric materials, ceramics, and glasses. 5. A transaction card according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one additional layer comprises printed information or graphics. the frame defines a first width between the frame outer circumference and the frame inner circumference for at least a first portion of the frame; and a tab defines a first width between the frame outer circumference and the frame inner circumference for at least a first portion of the frame; , defining a second width greater than the first width, and wherein the payment module is embedded within the tab. 7. A transaction card according to any preceding claim, wherein the glass member has a first thickness and the frame has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. 8. The transaction card of claim 7, further comprising an adhesive layer within an area bordered by the glass member, the frame and the at least one additional layer of the transaction card. A transaction card according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises metal. 10. The transaction card of claim 9, wherein the metal of the frame includes at least one cut defining a gap extending from the outer circumference of the frame to the inner circumference of the frame. 11. The transaction card of claim 10, including a non-metallic filler disposed within the gap defined by the cut. 12. A transaction card according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the metal frame with the at least one cut includes a booster antenna physically or inductively coupled to the payment module. 10. The transaction card of claim 9, wherein the at least one additional layer includes a booster antenna layer that includes a booster antenna physically or inductively coupled to the payment module. 14. The transaction card of claim 13, wherein the at least one additional layer further includes at least one non-metallic base layer and one or more printed layers. 15. The transaction card of claim 13 or 14, further comprising a non-RF interference layer between the booster antenna and the metal frame. the glass member has a first thickness; the frame has a second thickness greater than the first thickness; the partial glass layer constitutes the outermost layer of the transaction card; A transaction card according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein at least one additional layer defines a height on the surface of the card that is greater than the height defined by the glass member. . The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a non-metallic material. 18. The transaction card of claim 17, wherein the non-metallic material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of epoxy, FR4 ceramic, carbon fiber, and plant-based materials. further comprising a booster antenna physically or inductively coupled to the payment module, the frame including at least one groove, and the booster antenna including a winding disposed within the at least one groove. , a transaction card according to claim 17 or 18. the frame defines a peripheral edge, a top surface and a bottom surface, the at least one groove being disposed on the top surface, the bottom surface, or a combination thereof and recessed radially from the peripheral edge; 18. The transaction card of claim 17. 21. A transaction card as claimed in claim 19 or 20, further comprising a filler material disposed within the groove and on the booster antenna. 22. Any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the inner circumference of the frame defines a stepless edge between the planar top surface of the frame and the planar bottom surface of the frame. Transaction cards as described in Section. 23. The transaction card of claim 22, wherein the unstepped edge includes a straight edge perpendicular to the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface. 23. The glass member defines an unstepped outer peripheral edge aligned with and adhesively connected to an unstepped edge defined by the inner circumference of the frame. transaction card. The inner circumference of the frame defines a stepped edge between the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface of the frame, and the stepped edge defines a stepped edge between the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface of the frame. 22. A transaction card as claimed in any preceding claim, defining a ledge between the top surface and the planar bottom surface, the surface of the glass member being supported by the ledge. 26. The transaction card of claim 25, wherein the ledge defines a planar surface parallel to the planar top surface and the planar bottom surface of the frame. 27. The transaction card of claim 26, wherein the glass member has a first thickness and the frame has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. 28. The transaction card of claim 27, wherein the ledge has a thickness equal to the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness. 29. Any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the ledge defined by the frame is arranged between the at least one additional layer and the glass member having a perimeter coextensive with the perimeter of the card. Transaction cards as described in Section. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising an intermediate layer having a perimeter defined by an inner perimeter of the ledge disposed between the at least one additional layer and the glass member having a perimeter coextensive with the perimeter of the card. Transaction card listed. 31. The transaction card of claim 30, wherein the intermediate layer includes an adhesive layer. 31. The transaction card of claim 30, wherein the intermediate layer includes a transparent layer. 33. The transaction card of claim 32, wherein the intermediate layer comprises glass. 29. A transaction card according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the glass member is located between the at least one additional layer and a ledge defined by the frame. 35. The transaction card of claim 34, wherein the partial glass layer constitutes the outermost layer of the transaction card. 35. The transaction card of claim 34, wherein an outer protective layer is adhered to the partial glass layer and constitutes the outermost layer of the transaction card. 35. The transaction card of claim 34, wherein the frame is constructed of metallic material. 35. A transaction card according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one protective layer on the partial glass layer.

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